Best way to stream media to your TV?

Wryel · 07-06-2009, 15:47

I've been thinking about the best way to do this for some time. I'd like to buy a NAS and retire my desktop PC so I was hoping to use that to stream to my TV. I've seen this but it doesn't have a huge number of formats on it. Anyone used one of these? Thought it might be a simpler alternative to making a media centre PC.

Psymonkee · 07-06-2009, 16:12

Popcorn Hour A-110 looks the business and has been recommended to me by a co-worker

Chuck an HDD in and it'll even do Bit Torrent (runs from Linux

)

Downside is the price (nearly 200 in the UK

)

Jhadur · 07-06-2009, 16:51

Do you have an xbox 360?if so then just download Tversity and use that.
WMC on the Windows 7 RC works for streaming to the xbox as well.

Peige · 07-06-2009, 20:57

I'd also recommend the Popcorn, when you cost in all the bits you need for a media pc then your really no better off.
I tried to use my ps3 to do the job the compatablily was a pita, my popcorn just does it.. converting dts to stereo if your telly doesn't support it as well as a host of other features to fiddle with

Del Lardo · 07-06-2009, 21:19

I have a Popcorn rip off that I'm pretty happy with but in the process of replacing it with a HTPC running XBMC based on the new NVIDEA ION platform.

Something like http://www.play.com/PC/PCs/4-/960679...C/Product.html should do the job properly so long as you don't want to run the more advanced XBMC skins

A Place of Light · 07-06-2009, 23:33

I heart my XBMC.
That is all.

Wryel · 08-06-2009, 07:27

Thanks guys! The popcorn sounds great as I can chuck one of my hard drives in and then use as a NAS, I can then keep the other for backup in my desktop. I like the idea of the PC running XBMC but it just means I'd still have to fork out for a NAS or keep my desktop on all the time (which is the main point of this exercise).

Toby · 08-06-2009, 10:20

Also have a look at the WD TV - very similar concept to the Popcorn Hour but you attach your own USB hard drive to it. Comes in under £100 too.

Pumpkinstew · 08-06-2009, 23:23

An NMT like the Popcorn Hour looks like a good solution.

I've been eyeing the selection at digital era for a while.
http://www.digitalera.co.uk/catalog/...ers-119-1.html

Wryel · 12-07-2009, 12:18

Might have changed my mind. I have a Dell Optiplex 745 SFF PC and I'm thinking of sticking a wireless card and a half decent graphics card in it. Obviously I'm losing out on the NAS functionality but if I dismantle my main PC I can use the hard drives from that if I want to. Anyway, how does this look? Seems to cover all the bases for under £40, would it be worth spending more cash?

07-06-2009, 15:47	#1
Wryel Absinthe Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,148	Best way to stream media to your TV? I've been thinking about the best way to do this for some time. I'd like to buy a NAS and retire my desktop PC so I was hoping to use that to stream to my TV. I've seen this but it doesn't have a huge number of formats on it. Anyone used one of these? Thought it might be a simpler alternative to making a media centre PC.

07-06-2009, 16:12	#2
Psymonkee A cat wearing a wet suit Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: St.Andrews Posts: 2,023	Popcorn Hour A-110 looks the business and has been recommended to me by a co-worker Chuck an HDD in and it'll even do Bit Torrent (runs from Linux ) Downside is the price (nearly 200 in the UK ) __________________ Sonisphere FMC Code: 1k949178

07-06-2009, 16:51	#3
Jhadur Peter Pan Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Lost Inside My Head Posts: 1,068	Do you have an xbox 360?if so then just download Tversity and use that. WMC on the Windows 7 RC works for streaming to the xbox as well. __________________ "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in awhile, you could miss it."

08-06-2009, 10:20	#8
Toby Absinthe Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,023	Also have a look at the WD TV - very similar concept to the Popcorn Hour but you attach your own USB hard drive to it. Comes in under £100 too. __________________

08-06-2009, 23:23	#9
Pumpkinstew Absinthe Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Mostly Oxford, Sometimes Bristol Posts: 1,156	An NMT like the Popcorn Hour looks like a good solution. I've been eyeing the selection at digital era for a while. http://www.digitalera.co.uk/catalog/...ers-119-1.html __________________ Get old, or die tryin' PSTEWREVIEWS - Chunks of Meaty Reviews, Mixed with Your Five a Day of News, Comment and Opinion, Floating in a Broth of Suspect Grammar and Seasoned Liberally with Mixed Metaphor. Tasty.

07-06-2009, 20:57	#4
Peige Nice weak cup of Earl Grey Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 45	I'd also recommend the Popcorn, when you cost in all the bits you need for a media pc then your really no better off. I tried to use my ps3 to do the job the compatablily was a pita, my popcorn just does it.. converting dts to stereo if your telly doesn't support it as well as a host of other features to fiddle with

07-06-2009, 21:19	#5
Del Lardo Absinthe Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Cambridge Posts: 2,539	I have a Popcorn rip off that I'm pretty happy with but in the process of replacing it with a HTPC running XBMC based on the new NVIDEA ION platform. Something like http://www.play.com/PC/PCs/4-/960679...C/Product.html should do the job properly so long as you don't want to run the more advanced XBMC skins

07-06-2009, 23:33	#6
A Place of Light Absinthe Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,247	I heart my XBMC. That is all.

08-06-2009, 07:27	#7
Wryel Absinthe Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,148	Thanks guys! The popcorn sounds great as I can chuck one of my hard drives in and then use as a NAS, I can then keep the other for backup in my desktop. I like the idea of the PC running XBMC but it just means I'd still have to fork out for a NAS or keep my desktop on all the time (which is the main point of this exercise).

12-07-2009, 12:18	#10
Wryel Absinthe Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,148	Might have changed my mind. I have a Dell Optiplex 745 SFF PC and I'm thinking of sticking a wireless card and a half decent graphics card in it. Obviously I'm losing out on the NAS functionality but if I dismantle my main PC I can use the hard drives from that if I want to. Anyway, how does this look? Seems to cover all the bases for under £40, would it be worth spending more cash?

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